§ Mr. David ShawTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) when the officers' mess in Dover castle was last used; and for what purpose;
(2) on how many occasions (a) he, (b) his officials and (c) English Heritage have had discussions with interested parties in the last 12 months concerning proposals to bring the officers' mess in Dover castle back into commercial use;
(3) whether he will review the progress being made by English Heritage in processing proposals for developing the officers' mess in Dover castle; and if he will make a statement;
(4) what assistance his Department is prepared to give to English Heritage and Dover district council in order to assist private proposals for bringing the officers' mess in Dover castle into commercial use;
(5) when his officials last discussed with English Heritage proposals for developing and using the officers' mess in Dover castle; and what specifically they discussed.
§ Mr. MoynihanThe management, presentation and future development of Dover castle are matters for English Heritage. The former officers' mess ceased to be used for that purpose some years before the castle was placed in the care of the Ministry of Public Building and Works in 1965. It has remained empty ever since. Various proposals have been considered at different times for its re-use and I understand that English Heritage has had discussions with several potential developers. At English Heritage's request last March, my officials offered informal advice on a question of tendering procedure. Apart from that, the Department has had no discussions with English Heritage or any other party about the future use of the officers' mess building since the transfer of responsibility to English Heritage on 1 April 1984. I am sure the chairman will be happy to provide my hon. Friend with further details of his plans.